Microsoft files suit against Immersion

An attorney for Microsoft has confirmed that the company has filed suit against Immersion Corporation, seeking to enforce the terms of a 2003 agreement.

"We entered into a binding licensing agreement with Immersion and are seeking to have that agreement honored," Steve Aeschbacher, associate general counsel for Microsoft, told GamesIndustry.biz in a statement.

Immersion Corporation originally filed suit against Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment, alleging patent infringement, in February 2002. Sony lost the lawsuit at trial but appealed the verdict. It entered into a settlement agreement with Immersion in March 2007 while the patent litigation was still pending before the US Court of Appeals.

Microsoft entered into a series of licensing agreements with Immersion in 2003 which effectively resolved their ongoing litigation.

"Microsoft licenses technology both in and out and relies on these agreements to be honored and enforced. Our request to the court is that all companies and industry partners should play by the same rules and that the binding agreement we signed with Immersion be honored,â said Aeschbacher.

Immersion Corporation could not be immediately reached for comment.